09 March 2024 , 08:31
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Meghan Markle detailed an incredibly 'painful' experience she went through while pregnant with both Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Duchess of Sussex attended SXSW Festival on Friday alongside her husband Prince Harry, giving a heartfelt speech on a star-studded celebrity panel. Meghan got candid about the 'toxic' trolling she received while a working member of the Royal Family.
While Harry watched on from the front row, Meghan got emotional as she discussed her pregnancies with the couple's two children. She highlighted a difficult period in the pair's life after a torrent of 'cruel bullying and abuse' on social media.
READ MORE: Meghan Markle wears £2,700 outfit and stunning £140,000 engagement ring at SXSW event
Meghan gave a passionate speech about social media (Getty Images)"Yes, social media is an environment that I think has a lot of that, you know," Meghan explained. "Oh, it's really interesting as I can reflect on it. I keep my distance on it right now, just for my own wellbeing," she told attendees at the show in Austin, Texas.
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"But the bulk of the bullying and abuse that I was experiencing in social media and online, was when I was pregnant with Archie and with Lili. And you just think about that and really wrap your head around what people would be so hateful."
Meghan explained: "It's not catty, it's cruel, why you would do that? Certainly when you're pregnant and you have a newborn," she went on, touching on how it's a tender and sacred time. "You can either succumb to it, or nearly succumb to how painful that is, and maybe in some regards because I was pregnant that mammalian instinct just kicked in. Everything you can to protect your child, and as a result protect yourself too."
The Duchess chose a simple but stylish outfit for the event, including a $2,000 (£1,560) silk ensemble from Giuliva Heritage, including a maxi-skirt priced at $1,050 (£810) and a silky oversized shirt costing $970 (£750).
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She spoke openly about 'toxic' trolling online (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)She also flaunted her $180,000 (£140,000) engagement rings, which she had been seen without for a few months while it was being repaired to fix a loose stone. Her choice of jewellery also included a pair of gold earrings from Bottega Veneta, costing around $717 (£558). She completed her look with a pair of flat mules which could be from Valentino and have a similar price tag to the earrings.
Meghan appeared on stage alongside journalist Katie Couric, actress Brooke Shields and diversity equity and inclusion consultant at Peoplism, Nancy Wang Yuen. Errin Haines, host of The Amendment podcast, moderated the event's opening keynote, titled 'Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen'.
Speaking on International Women's Day, Meghan talked about how social media is creating an "often dangerous environment" which has led to serious mental health issues for teenage girls in particular. The keynote session also touched on how women's representation in media and entertainment "has come a long way, but there's still much to be done, especially for women of colour and mothers."